Testimonials

I am 13 years old and I have been going to The STAR Center for 5 years, and throughout these 5 years I have learned more about myself, my stuttering, and how the people around me interact and think about each other than I ever would have in a whole lifetime. When I began stuttering socializing with other kids was a struggle. After I spoke I had always felt as if I had done something wrong. But once I began therapy, I took a whole new view on my stuttering never once again did my stuttering hold me back. Lee has inspired me to speak my mind and don’t ever let my stuttering control my life.
                                                    Ryan Faber, age 13

"My son, Cole, has been stuttering almost as long as he has been speaking.  We have been going to The STAR Center since Cole is five years old.  He has gone to individual sessions and groups over the past eight years and we have participated in parent groups.  Over the years I have seen Cole grow into a confident young man who has learned how to “stutter better.”  I believe that even more important than the techniques he’s learned, The STAR Center has taught him to be a comfortable, confident, and proud stutterer. 

When Cole was in 7th grade he ran for student council vice-president and had to give a speech in front of the school.  For a stutterer this can be a very stressful experience, but Cole had done it before and was confident.  However, this time he had a very significant block at the beginning of the speech, and could not get the sound out.  As he stood up there with hundreds of students, staff, and parents watching and was able to say, “I stutter so if I don’t get the words out just give me a minute.”  That was the first time I was convinced that Cole took ownership of his stuttering, which has always been my wish for him.
                                                   Melissa Bennet, parent

8 years ago, I was struggling to help my teenager deal with a stutter that he hadn't experienced since he was 2 years old. After working with an ineffective speech-language pathologist, who had my son reading books for an hour every week, I contacted The STAR Center. During our initial call, I felt a sense of relief. They understood what we were going through. I knew during that first call that 'they got it'. In addition to learning the strategies and techniques, I think the most important thing Lee has instilled in my son is confidence and the ability to be comfortable with his stutter. Stuttering is a piece of who you are but doesn’t completely define you. My son is now a 22 year old successful college student studying Sports Management, on the verge of graduation.
                                                    Joanna LoPinto, parent

My son Matthew started stuttering at 2.5 years old.  Being a speech therapist myself, I spent a lot of time searching for the right person to treat my son.  After many conversations with various speech therapists, I still had not found that special someone.  Then I received a call back from Steffi Schopick and that all changed.  Steffi was friendly, knowledgeable and had a genuine desire to help me with my son.  I knew right away that we had found the perfect fit for Matthew.  Matthew took to Steffi right away and so did the rest of the family.  She not only provided exceptional therapy for Matthew, but she taught our entire family how to work with Matthew at home.  He has been seeing Steffi for 8 months now and has made significant progress.
                                                    Parent